By Craig Swan

Copyright dailyrecord

Irate Rangers fans are furious at Russell Martin’s decision to leave Nico Raskin out of the game against Hearts. And concerned Celtic fans also contacted the Hotline with their own angst at the manner of the fans’ planned protest at Kilmarnock. There are tensions on both sides of Glasgow ahead of a huge weekend for their respective teams. Rangers face Hearts and the manager’s decision to leave the Belgian midfielder out of the squad has lit a fuse. Andrew Adams, Kirkcaldy , said: “I think Russell Martin is wanting out of Ibrox, a game he knows he MUST win and our best midfielder isn’t even in the squad!! It makes no sense, you have to sometimes be smart and swallow your pride and do what’s best for the team, but that depends on the size of your ego, and Russell’s looks like it will take some swallowing.” Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “The sooner Rangers owners realise that Martin is only at Rangers to sabotage the team the better. How many managers come into a football club wanting to succeed and deliberately alienate all the top players forcing them to leave and stick with the unsuccessful dross they have brought in? None! “Martin is again intent on leaving Raskin out of the squad in a really big make or break game, why? When will Rangers new owners act on their mistake? Seems like never!” Russell Black, Banchory, said: “Unfortunately, the best thing that can happen for Rangers is that they lose the Hearts game. Then they would have to get rid of Martin.” Joe Hailey, Bailleston, said: “The mighty Rangers have won one game from the last six and that was against Alloa. Methinks the Jambos might be a step too far for the chosen ones!” Some Celtic fans also got in touch to bemoan the fact that fellow punters are planning to stay outside of the ground for 12 minutes ahead of their team’s clash with Kilmarnock. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “I’m facing a bit of a dilemma before I visit Rugby Park, whether or not to take part in the 12-minute protest. My concern is it could have a detrimental effect on the Celtic team. Kilmarnock will have their tails up right from the start and, if they score an early goal, valuable points lost could be on the cards.” Arrin Geddes, Irvine, added: “I don’t know who came up with it, but what a ridiculous decision to enter the ground in the 12th minute on Sunday is. By all means protest, but don’t do anything that would affect the team on the pitch, you’re supposed to be supporting them. Don’t spend a penny at Celtic Park for a couple of home games and the message would hit home better.” Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “All the unrest and anger towards the Celtic board which is clearly understandable, but we surely can’t go down the road of boycotting games. We must show solidarity. Get behind the team. We are after all Celtic supporters. It’s not a case of shut up and display blind faith.” Denis Brice, Bishopbriggs, said: “I would ask the Celtic support to reconsider their public protests against the board’s incompetence inside any ground where their team is expected to play. Such protests can only unsettle the team, which has not played any part in the fiasco brought about by the board. “It is vitally important to back the team at all times so that it can perform wholeheartedly on the field of play instead of feeling unsettled by the bad vibes surrounding the club thanks to those mishandling club business so wretchedly. “Let the board know your feelings by methods which will not impact upon the players’ performances on the field. The employers need to be targeted, not the employees. “Flood the club with letters of protest, put up forests of placards expressing your discontent outside Parkhead and boycott the Europa League games. All those measures will hit the club where it hurts, but will give the players the platform they need to win the domestic league.”